China Bans Time Travel (for Television)

The authoritarian government of China has announced a new policy: depictions of time travel are no longer allowed on television. The ban comes as China is cracking down on dissent across the nation. Apparently, the government is afraid that revolutionaries will be inspired enough by time traveling to challenge the government.

In the US, no, but China has a different culture and standards. But somehow I don't think I'd be too angry if American Idol or some other stupid show that appeals to the lowest common denominator got banned.

...modes and scales are still useless.

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In the US, no, but China has a different culture and standards. But somehow I don't think I'd be too angry if American Idol or some other stupid show that appeals to the lowest common denominator got banned.

I wish I understood more about Chinese culture to be able to understand where you're coming from. From my perspective, censorship carried out by a state isn't always going to be for the good of the people, it's going to be used to either consolidate more power or maintain their own interests and the status quo. I think people should be exposed to information that contradicts their own views and beliefs to be able to expand their own perspective. And I'm aware this sort of thing goes on in the US too, except more indirectly and I'm completely against that too.

Probably specifically enacted to prevent tv and film writers there to put modern day Chinese in a pre-communist China setting. There's plenty of room for political and social commentary when you set up a show like that. On the flip hand, imagining a future that isn't uniform with the current regime might get people worked up as well.

I think it's silly, and hardly a real risk the govt. has to consider, but that's probably their reasoning. Almost all time travel stories do depict dystopian societies or highlight what's wrong with the traveler's current era.

When the hell is Cuba going to have a new revolution so the US govt. will let me move there?

I wish I understood more about Chinese culture to be able to understand where you're coming from. From my perspective, censorship carried out by a state isn't always going to be for the good of the people, it's going to be used to either consolidate more power or maintain their own interests and the status quo. I think people should be exposed to information that contradicts their own views and beliefs to be able to expand their own perspective. And I'm aware this sort of thing goes on in the US too, except more indirectly and I'm completely against that too.

Most western countries value individuality. That fosters creativity and innovation but it also generates cynicism and hostility toward each other and authority. China is the opposite. It values community over individuality, so authoritarian rule is more acceptable as a means to carry out things that are "for the good of everyone." Obviously, nothing can be good for everyone, but it serves the majority. China highly values its history (almost hypersensitive about it), so it's not surprising that the government wants to ban the shows that trivialize it. I can guarantee you that the majority of the people feel the same sentiment towards something like this. And this kind of thing goes on everywhere. For example, the US forbids any pornographic content on most TV channels, because that's a no-no by US cultural standards. But Canada often shows porn in the wide open.

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Yeah definitely. Didn't have anything to do with dissent.

What WOULD it have to do with dissent? How does going back in time provide an answer to toppling over the government? I think it's funny how you're so quick to defend Muslim women wearing veils but THIS is unacceptable.

Quote by blackflag49

Lead in your kid's toys? Whatever.

Unoriginal TV shows? ****ing censor that shit! Only da best for Chinawr.

Shit in your food pre-Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.

Your thinking isn't original, nor is it smart. Should China improve its standards? Absolutely. It's in the process, one that is going much faster than the rate of the US.

...modes and scales are still useless.

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the only possible explanation would be that the Chinese are close to developing time travel. soon they'll grow a monopoly on the industry, but they must dissuade the masses from nefarious deeds using the new technology. crafty, China. very crafty.

What WOULD it have to do with dissent? How does going back in time provide an answer to toppling over the government? I think it's funny how you're so quick to defend Muslim women wearing veils but THIS is unacceptable.

Your thinking isn't original, nor is it smart. Should China improve its standards? Absolutely. It's in the process, one that is going much faster than the rate of the US.

Shit was the least of it. Do you not remember the part of the book where the worker actually falls into the meat masher?

All I'm saying is for the Chinese state to censor TV in the name of quality control, when the quality of so many other, actually consequential aspects of life over there is still so lacking, strikes me as really silly.